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Do you still have sealed boxes in your home? Americans take 182 days to finally unpack their last box after moving into a new home, according to a new study.
Research into the living setups and moving experiences of 2,000 Americans profiled how many times the average person has moved and their experiences along the way.
The study, commissioned by Duck Brand, found the average American polled has moved five times in their life so far, living in three separate apartments and two single-family homes most typically.
Four of those properties are likely to be rentals, with one purchased- although 35% of the study had yet to get on the property ladder.
Over the course of living in those properties we’re likely to experience some bumps – 20% have had roommates who steal their food, more than a third have unfairly lost all or part of their deposit and 45% have experienced a bad landlord.
Just under half have had to suffer living in a neighborhood they don’t like and four in ten have lived somewhere they sadly felt was unsafe.
Interestingly though, a change in relationship status is the most likely factor to prompt a move, followed by downsizing or upgrade the house and or area lived in.
Financial issues proved the third most common reason for Americans to move home.
Duck Brand’s study found the actual process of moving can mount up– Americans spend $432 per move on average, racking up $2,160 just in moving truck rentals, movers and packaging or supplies in life so far.
Results showed the average move also lasts over three weeks to complete – meaning the average American experiences over four solid months enduring the stress of moving home in their lifetime.
Americans will typically need to shift an average of 26 boxes per move – 130 boxes of goods over across the five home moves experienced by respondents so far.
With so much to move it’s no wonder that things don’t always go to plan and more than half (55 percent) of the survey respondents had experienced an important item damaged during a move.
Heavy furniture is more vulnerable to damage, with 60 percent of the respondents saying they’ve had their furniture damaged during the moving process.
Glassware, including dishes, and decorative items were also found to be more prone to damage during a move.
It might come as a surprise to some that jewelry and items people often categorize as valuable were one of the least likely to be damaged.
About one in eight blame weak tape for the damaged content, while 43 percent say they didn’t use enough padding or protective cushioning when packing their items into a box.
An unfortunate third of the survey respondents say items completely fell to the floor, while nearly one in five blame careless professional movers.
With furniture being the most likely to be damaged, it’s no surprise that 60 percent of Americans say moving furniture is the most difficult thing about changing living areas.
Respondents also find the process of going up and down the stairs and getting rid of things troublesome, followed by carefully packing and keeping things protected.
A spokesperson for Duck Brand said: “Making sure the things that matter most to you make it through your next move is what we do best. Let Duck® move the things that move you.”
“At Duck® brand, we care about making your move easier and less stressful -- and offer a variety of quality moving products… from packaging tape and Bubble Wrap® to moving kits and covers… all to ensure your precious items arrive safely.”
“Whether planning, packing or organizing your move, visit duckbrand.com for a wealth of tools, tips and products to help make your move a success.”
TOP 5 NECESSARY ITEMS FOR A SUCCESSFUL MOVING-OUT EXPERIENCE
Boxes
Packing Tape
Dolly
Labels/stickers/markers
Bubble wrap
TOP 5 NECESSARY ITEMS FOR A SUCCESSFUL MOVING-IN EXPERIENCE
Cleaning supplies
Plastic storage bins
Hangers
Extension cords
Toolbox
TOP 10 MOST DAMAGED ITEMS DURING A MOVE
Furniture
Glassware/Dishes
Decorative items (frames, mirrors, etc.)
Electronics (TV, computer, etc.)
Art (paintings, posters, etc.)
Photos
Books
Clothes
Toys
Jewelry/Valuables
TOP 10 DIFFICULT THINGS ABOUT MOVING
Moving furniture
Going up and down stairs
Getting rid of things
Carefully packing things
Keeping things protected
Fitting things into all of the boxes
Finding people to help me move
Changing utility/building address
Finding the time
Staying on schedule
***This random double-opt-in survey was conducted by OnePoll, a market research company and corporate member of ESOMAR and adheres to the MRS code of conduct. For more information about OnePoll’s research in the media, navigate to their portfolio here: http://www.onepoll.com/in-the-media/. This survey of 2000 US adults was conducted between June 06, 2017, and June 16, 2017, by Market Researchers OnePoll and commissioned by Duck Brand.
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